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Victims 'angry' at Claudy bomb inquiry suspension

Nine people were killed and 30 people were injured in the bombings in July 1972Matt Baggott has been called on to give relatives of the Claudy bomb victims a full explanation

A PSNI decision to suspend an investigation into a bombing that claimed nine lives has left relatives of the victims "frustrated and angry".

Northern Ireland Assembly member Tom Elliott, who accompanied the families to a meeting with detectives to discuss the probe in the 1972 attack in Claudy, Co Derry, said PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott owed the relatives a full explanation.

The PSNI confirmed that the investigation into the outrage, which was widely blamed on the IRA even though the organisation never claimed responsibility, was suspended due to a lack of evidence.

As well as the nine dead, who included three children, 30 people were injured when three car bombs shattered the village in July 1972 at the height of the Troubles.

A 2010 report by then Northern Ireland police ombudsman Al Hutchinson exposed a damning cover-up between state and church in the wake of the bombing that led to a prime suspect being protected from prosecution.

The main suspect has since died but others were suspected of involvement in the attack.

A PSNI spokeswoman said: "Police can confirm that we met with Tom Elliott and members of the families to update them on the investigation and to inform them we have completed our enquiries identified from a review.

"As a result, the investigation is currently suspended until such times as new information or evidence is received.

"Police would continue to appeal to anyone with information to come forward so that the people responsible for this atrocity are brought to justice."